VestaCP Guide: How to Get Started with VestaCP

VestaCP, or Vesta Control Panel, is an open-source control panel designed with website, email, database, and DNS functionalities built in. 

You could say it’s like your ticket to managing a website like a pro without the hefty price tag. 

Designed for people who want power without the headaches, it pairs perfectly with a Truehost VPS.

Its clean results page lets you manage databases, backup schedules, and even email accounts without speaking a single line of code.

For many of us, the local internet scenes can be patchy, and cloud fees can be jaw-droppingly high. 

Well, Vesta promises to be cheap, efficient, and ready for anything. 

Dashboards speak your language, and the forums involve actual people setting stuff up (no bots, promise).

So that we don’t just sing the praises, this guide will show you how to set up VestaCP on a Truehost VPS, and everything it offers in real time. 

We will cover:

• What VestaCP is and why it is perfect for Kenyan users
• How to choose a Truehost VPS plan and install VestaCP
• Step-by-step setup for websites, email, and DNS
• Tips to optimize and secure your Vesta server
• Why Truehost is the go-to for VPS hosting in Kenya

Let’s get your website live—without the tech headaches!

What is VestaCP, and Why Use It?

VestaCP is a free, open-source control panel that makes managing a VPS (Virtual Private Server) a breeze. 

It lets you handle websites, email accounts, DNS, and databases through a simple web interface—no need to be a Linux guru. 

Whenever you want, it will be streamlining tasks like adding domains or setting up email just like a genie in a bottle. 

Benefits if you’re in Kenya

Kenyan businesses, like Safaricom or small startups in Nairobi, could really use Vesta. 

Its perfect due to its lightweight design which means it runs smoothly even on modest plans, keeping costs low. 

Don’t we all know how your wallet feels with this current Kenyan economy?

Now, pair that with Truehost’s VPS hosting (check out our plans at truehost.co.ke/vps-hosting/), VestaCP offers scalability plus reliability. 

Be a developer in Mombasa or a blogger in Kisumu, Vesta’s intuitive dashboard is just right, saving you time and effort.

Comparison with Virtualmin

You might wonder, What is Virtualmin used for? 

Just like VestaCP, Virtualmin is a control panel for managing VPS hosting, but it is heavier and often more complex. 

How so?

Well, compared to VestaCP, which shines for its simplicity, making it ideal for beginners or small businesses, Virtualmin can be challenging.

So, for Kenya’s e-commerce platforms, which need a straightforward solution without breaking the bank, VestaCP would be a wise choice.

Why VPS Hosting?

Advantages of VPS Hosting

When looking at it together with shared hosting, where you are squeezed onto a server with others, VPS hosting gives you dedicated resources.

It is as if you are renting your own apartment instead of sharing a bedsitter. 

When you’re using VPS, you get better performance, security, and full root access to install tools like VestaCP. 

So there goes our answer to why we want to choose VPS to pair with VestaCP. 

Now, you can definitely get other options like cPanel if you still want to stick with shared hosting. But then, think of all the benefit you get here.

How to get started with a VPS? It’s simple: choose a reliable provider like Truehost, select a plan, and follow this guide to set up the control panel. 

Truehost’s VPS Offerings

Truehost offers VPS hosting plans starting at KES 560/month, perfect for Vesta users. 

With features like NVMe SSDs, 99.999% uptime, and local data centers, Truehost ensures your site loads lightning-fast for your Kenyan visitors. 

Their plans also include root access, letting you customize your server. 

Prerequisites for Setting Up VestaCP on a Truehost VPS

Choosing the Right VPS Plan

First of all, to run the control panel without hiccups, you need a compatible operating system. 

What is the best OS for VestaCP? 

We confidently recommend Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 since it is very stable and has wide support, though CentOS 7 will also serve you well. 

Which OS is the most widely used? 

From our intensive research, Ubuntu will be the go-to choice for most Vesta users all over the world.

Good news: at Truehost, we pre-install it on our VPS plans. 

So you’ll be wise to pick a Truehost plan with at least 1GB RAM and 20GB storage to get optimal performance.

Pre-Installation Requirements

Before installing VestaCP, ensure you have the following:

• A clean Linux OS (Ubuntu or CentOS, pre-installed by Truehost).
• Root access (provided in your Truehost VPS welcome email).
• A stable internet connection.
• An optional domain name for hosting websites.

How do you install Linux directly? 

Well, with Truehost, you don’t need to worry about all this—You get Linux pre-installed when you order a VPS. 

Just log in and start setting up the control panel.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing VestaCP

1) Accessing Your Truehost VPS

Once you’ve signed up for a Truehost VPS, you’ll receive an email with your server’s IP address and root credentials. 

Now, use an SSH client like PuTTY (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) to log in. 

How do you do that?

Just type ssh root@your-server-ip and enter the password provided by Truehost.

2) Downloading and Running the Installation Script

To install VestaCP on Linux, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your VPS via SSH.
2. Download the VestaCP installer: curl -O http://vestacp.com/pub/vst-install.sh
3. Run the script: bash vst-install.sh
4. Choose options like Nginx or Apache as your web server and MySQL for databases. The installer guides you through these choices.

The process takes 15-20 minutes, depending on your server’s speed.

3) Completing the Installation

Once installed, Vesta generates a login URL and credentials. 

The login URL for VestaCP is https://your-server-ip:8083. 

The admin password is emailed to you after installation, so check your inbox or spam folder. 

You could open the URL in your browser, log in, and then you’re ready to manage your server.

4) Post-Installation Tips

Verify the installation by checking the VestaCP dashboard. 

If you encounter issues, ensure your server’s ports (e.g., 8083) are open. 

Also, our Truehost’s support team is available 24/7 to assist you.

Configuring VestaCP for Your Website

1) Adding a User

To manage websites, create a new user in VestaCP:

1. Log in to the dashboard (https://your-server-ip:8083).
2. Go to the “User” tab and click “Add User.”
3. Enter details like username and email, then save.

This user can manage specific domains, keeping your admin account secure.

2) Setting Up a Web Domain

To host a website:

1. Go to the “Web” tab and click “Add Web Domain.”
2. Enter your domain (e.g., mybusiness.co.ke).
3. Enable Let’s Encrypt for free SSL to secure your site.
4. Configure DNS under the “DNS” tab if using Vesta’s nameservers.

For example, Kilimall could use VestaCP to manage multiple domains for their e-commerce platform.

3) Managing Files and Databases

Use VestaCP’s File Manager to upload website files (e.g., for WordPress). To set up a database:

1. Go to the “DB” tab and click “Add Database.”
2. Create a database for your CMS (e.g., WordPress, Joomla).
3. Link it to your site via the CMS admin panel.

This setup is perfect for Kenyan bloggers like Biko Zulu, who need reliable hosting for their content.

Setting Up Email and DNS with VestaCP

1) Configuring Email Accounts

To create email accounts:

1. Go to the “Mail” tab in VestaCP.
2. Add a mail domain (e.g., @mybusiness.co.ke).
3. Create email accounts like info@mybusiness.co.ke.
4. Enable DKIM for secure email delivery.

This is ideal for businesses like Naivas Supermarkets, who need professional email for customer communication.

Managing DNS Records

To configure DNS:

1. Go to the “DNS” tab and add your domain.
2. Set up A, MX, and CNAME records for your website and email.
3. Use Truehost’s nameservers for seamless integration.

Optimizing VestaCP for Performance and Security

1) Performance Optimization

Boost your VestaCP server by:

• Enabling caching (e.g., Nginx caching or WP Rocket for WordPress).
• Choosing the latest PHP version in VestaCP’s settings.
• Using Truehost’s NVMe SSDs for faster load times.

2) Security Best Practices

Secure your server with:

• Vesta’s built-in firewall and Fail2Ban to block malicious login attempts.
• Regular backups via Truehost’s backup services.
• Strong passwords and Let’s Encrypt SSL for all domains.

Advanced Features and Use Cases for VestaCP in Kenya

WordPress Hosting

VestaCP is perfect for hosting WordPress sites. 

Kenyan bloggers can use it to manage content-heavy sites with ease. 

Install WordPress through the VestaCP’s File Manager and database tools, and utilise Truehost’s fast VPS for smooth performance.

E-commerce and Developer Needs

For e-commerce stores like Jumia, VestaCP supports multi-domain hosting and root access for custom apps. 

Developers can tweak server settings, making it great for startups building innovative solutions in Kenya.

Exploring PWAs with VestaCP

How do you install PWA on Linux? 

First know that VestaCP can host Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) by configuring your web server (Nginx or Apache) to serve PWA files. 

You only need to upload your PWA assets via the File Manager and ensure proper caching settings.

Troubleshooting Common VestaCP Issues

Installation Errors

If VestaCP installation fails, check for:

• Conflicting services (e.g., existing httpd processes). You can stop them with systemctl stop httpd.
• Open ports (e.g., 8083). Use ufw allow 8083 to fix this one.

Email and DNS Problems

Email not working? 

You only need to verify DKIM settings and MX records. 

DNS issues? 

Just ensure your domain points to Truehost’s nameservers. 

Why is Truehost the Best Choice for VestaCP Hosting in Kenya?

a) Affordable Pricing and Local Support

Our VPS plans start at KES 560/month, making them accessible for Kenyan startups and SMEs. 

Again, our 24/7 support team, based in Kenya, is ready to assist you with VestaCP setup or any issues surrounding the same topic.

b) Scalability and Reliability

Our localo data centers ensure low latency for Kenyans. 

We also have scalable VPS plans to let you upgrade as your business grows, which is perfect for hosting Vesta-powered sites.

Conclusion

VestaCP makes managing a VPS simple, affordable, and powerful for any Kenyan businesses and developers. 

Paired with Truehost’s reliable VPS hosting, you can launch websites, emails, and databases with so much ease. 

If you’re a blogger or even an e-commerce giant, VestaCP and Truehost are the perfect combo for going online in 2025. 

So, why wait when you can start now and launch your VestaCP server today!